Woman, child and gunman dead in South Florida supermarket shooting
A gunman opened fire inside a Publix supermarket in South Florida on Thursday, killing a woman and a child under 2 years old before killing himself, CBS affiliate WPEC-TV reported. The Palm Beach County's Sheriff's Office said the victims are a grandmother and her grandson, but their identities are not being released at the family's request.
Police said the shooting took place inside a Publix in Royal Palm Beach. Deputies responded to the scene at 11:40 a.m. local time.
When they arrived, they discovered all three people dead from gunshot wounds near the store's produce area, said Teri Barbera, a spokesperson for the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office. Authorities have identified the suspect as 55-year-old Timothy J. Wall from Royal Palm Beach, according to CBS Miami.
The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said there is no motive or known relationship between the suspect and the victims.
"We're trying to determine what led up to the shooting," Barbera told reporters. "We're talking to witnesses. We're reviewing video."
Police arrived wearing helmets and bulletproof vests just minutes after the shooting. Ron Glassman was minutes away from entering the Publix. "I was about 100 feet away when I saw everyone running out of the store and yelling, 'Get back! Shots fired! Get back to your cars,'" he said.
Juan Guardia was inside the store shopping for chicken. "A Publix worker says, 'Hey run, run - shooting! Shooting! Shooting!"
Publix, which operates more than 800 stores in Florida, said it was cooperating with law enforcement but couldn't confirm any additional information. "Our thoughts are with those who are impacted by this tragedy," the statement said.